If you’ve wondered about your cat’s main diet, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most puzzling concepts for new pet owners, especially since cats can eat just about anything they want to. This has led people to wonder whether cats are carnivores or omnivores.
Essentially, cats are carnivores, even if they eat other foods like vegetables and fruits. Specifically, they are obligate carnivores. In this blog, we’re going to talk about the kind of eaters cats are, how they get their nutrition, and how to support it at home.
Carnivores vs Omnivores
But what’s really the difference between the two? Basically, they are key terms that describe how an animal is biologically designed to eat in order to grow, develop, and stay healthy.
Carnivores
A carnivore is an animal whose natural diet is based primarily on other animal sources. Carnivores are adapted to digest protein and fat from animal tissues efficiently, and their bodies rely heavily on nutrients that come from meat.
This also means that their digestive systems tend to be shorter because meat is easier for them to break down compared to fibrous plant materials. Carnivores can also be classified further based on how much meat they should consume to survive. Here’s a guide:
Classification | Percentage of Meat in Diet |
|---|---|
Hypercarnivore | 70% or above |
Mesocarnivore | 50-70% |
Hypocarnivore | 30% or below |
Cats are hypercanivories, also known as obligate carnivores. Basically, a cat's body is designed to utilize the nutrients found in animal sources. This means that they must have a diet consisting of about 70% meat.
Omnivores
Omnivores are different in the sense that they can consume both plant and animal foods. This allows them to have more variety in their diets, as they can consume fruits, vegetables, starches, and meats.
Humans are a good example of omnivores because we can meet our nutritional needs from many different sources.
Can Cats Eat Fruits and Vegetables?
While they technically can, these are not important to a cat’s diet.
Cats may occasionally eat small amounts of fruits and vegetables, but this doesn't make them omnivores. These plant sources do not supply the specific nutrients cats need. Although these may provide some minimal benefits, such as energy.
What Makes Cats Carnivores?
Cats have specialized features that help them consume meat. It all comes from their needs and anatomical specifications. These include:
Sharp Teeth
A cat’s teeth are basically meat-processing tools. They have long, pointed canines for gripping, with sharp premolars and molars to cut and shear the meat. This helps them break down the meat they consume for proper digestion.
Jaws
Their jaws also have a special purpose. It’s built more like a hinge rather than one that rotates, good for biting down and tearing meat. It’s different from the side-to-side grinding needed for fibrous plants. This is the reason why cats often swallow pieces of food rather than chewing them down.
Digestive System
As carnivores, cats have a shorter digestive tract compared to those that eat plants because meat is easier to digest. Plant-heavy diets require longer intestines to extract the nutrients. Since cats don’t eat those, they have a shorter one to process animal tissues efficiently.
Aside from this shorter tract, cats have an acidic stomach that helps them break down the animal sources they eat. This is key to breaking down fat, protein, and bones. Cats also lack salivary amylase, so they are unable to efficiently process carbohydrates.
What Do Cats Need for Nutrition?
Now that we know what kinds of eaters cats are, it’s time to determine what they need in their diet. These are also some of the traits that define a cat’s carnivorous nature, since they require these specific nutrients to survive. Cat nutrition is something all pet owners should focus on.
They are carnivores, which is why cats require proteins, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and water.
Protein and Amino Acids
Protein is the centerpiece of cat nutrition because cats are built to use amino acids from animal protein for everyday body functions. Compared to other pets, cats have a higher dependence on dietary protein to maintain their bodily functions, health, energy, and normal metabolism.
This is why high-quality animal protein should be the standard for cats.
There are also specific amino acids to keep in mind. This includes taurine, arginine, and histidine, among many more. Each has a specific purpose. Here’s a quick overview of what they do:
Amino Acid | Benefits |
|---|---|
Arginine | Ammonia detoxification, immune support, circulation, heart health |
Histidine | Growth and development, blood health, immune and digestive function |
Taurine | Vision, heart function, digestion, reproduction, immune system function |
Isoleucine | Muscle growth and repair, energy source, skin and coat health |
Leucine | Muscle maintenance and growth, tissue repair, energy, metabolism, immune system support |
Lysine | Immune system support, helps fight FHV-1, supports muscles, blood, and bones |
Methionine | Skin and coat health, liver support, urinary health, antioxidant support |
Phenylalanine | Protein synthesis, supports neurotransmitters, helps manage pain |
Threonine | Muscle growth, immune support, gastrointestinal health, metabolism |
Tryptophan | Improves mood, reduces stress, promotes good sleep |
Valine | Muscle growth and repair, energy production, tissue repair, nervous and immune system function |
Fats
Fat is another essential part of cat nutrition. It provides concentrated energy, supports skin and coat health, and helps the body absorb fat-soluble vitamins. Cats need omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which can be obtained from animal fats and fish oil.
Vitamins and Minerals
Cats need the right amounts of vitamins and minerals. These include vitamins A, D, E, and K, as well as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, and iron. Basically, each of these supports specific parts of your cat’s health.
Water
Water is perhaps one of the most important parts of feline nutrition. Water supports everything that constitutes a cat, including bodily functions, digestion, temperature regulation, organ function, waste removal, and overall health.
Some cats naturally drink less than you’d expect, so it’s important to help them drink more. This can be through water fountains, mixed feeding, and moisture-rich diets.
How Much Should a Cat Eat a Day?
The amount of food you should feed your cat generally depends on their age, weight, activity level, and the type of food. Some cats need more when they’re active, while indoor cats generally need more controlled portions.
Kittens
Generally, kittens need more food than adults because they are still growing. They should be fed around 4 meals a day, with kitten-specific food.
0 to 4 Weeks
At this age, kittens should only be fed with their mother’s milk or a kitten formula. This should be done every 2 to 3 hours, with around 2-6 ml of milk per feeding.
2 to 4 Months
Kittens at this age generally need about 4 to 5 pouches of wet food per day. When serving dry food, mix 2 pouches of wet food and 18-40 grams of dry food.
4 to 8 Months
The wet food should be increased to 5 to 6 pouches. You can also mix 2 pouches with 40-48 grams of dry food.
8 to 12 Months
Kittens at this age can have around 2 to 4 meals per day. This will consist of 6 to 7 wet food pouches, or 2 wet food pouches and 48 grams of dry food.
1 Year+
Adult cats will need specific amounts, with about 15-20 grams of dry food per kilogram of body weight per day. For example, a 4 kg cat will need 60-80 grams of dry food per day. This can vary based on their lifestyle and specific needs.
“It’s crucial to determine the type of diet our cats need to grow and develop.”
- Dr. Paulina Czerska
Final Thoughts
So, is a cat a carnivore or an omnivore? Cats are obligate carnivores, the type that requires at least 70% of their diet to consist of meat and animal sources. They get the essential nutrients they need from these diets, as their bodies are designed to eat and digest these sources.
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